Use of carbendazim and carbendazim-resistant yeasts to create different yeast densities on wheat leaves for field studies on biological control

Phyllosphere yeasts may play an important role in suppressing necrotrophic pathogens. In a randomized block design, yeast densities on flag leaves and second leaves of field-grown wheat were left unchanged (D), or were lowered by sprayings with carbendazim (A), or were raised by sprayings with a mixture ofSporobolomyces roseus, Cryptococcus laurentii var.flavescens and nutrients (B), or with carbendazim, carbendazim-resistantS. roseus andC. laurentii var.flavescens and nutrients (C). The application of carbendazim to plots A and C would avoid a biased interference of carbendazim due to other effects than reducing the natural yeast population. Prolonged differences in yeast density would be reflected in differences in severity of diseases caused by carbendazim-insensitive necrotrophic pathogens.Both treatments B and C enhanced the yeast density about 10-fold at the beginning of leaf colonization, 2 to 3 weeks after leaf emergence. Untreated leaves (D), however, were rapidly leaves. Initially, the yeasts were suppressed by carbendazim (A). However, progressively the yeast population consisted of carbendazim-resistant strains which made the carbendazim sprayings ineffective. Therefore, the substantial differences in yeast density were of limited duration. The effect of the treatments on naturally occurringMycosphaerella graminicola (anam.Septoria tritici), Puccinia recondita f. sp.tritici and the total necrotic leaf area (D-value) is discussed.Samenvatting Fyllosfeergisten kunnen misschien een belangrijke rol spelen in de onderdrukking van necrotrofe pathogenen. In een blokkenproef werd de dichtheid van gisten op vlagbladeren en tweede bladeren niet beïvvloed (D) of verlaagd door bespuitingen met carbendazim (A), of verhoogd door bespuitingen met een mengsel van gisten (Sporobolomyces roseus enCryptococcus laurentii var.flavescens en voedingsstoffen (B), of met een mengsel van carbendazim, carbendazim-resistenteS. roseus enC. laurentii var.flavescens en voedingsstoffen (C). De grootste verschillen in dichtheden van de gistpopulaties werden verwacht tussen de behandelingen A en B of C. Door alle veldjes A en C met carbendazim te behandelen wordt een eenzijdig effect van carbendazim, berustend op andere eigenschappen dan de onderdrukking van de natuurlijke gistpopulatie, voorkomen. Langdurige verschillen in de populatiedichtheden van de gisten zouden weerspiegeld kunnen worden in verschillen in aantasting door carbendazimongevoelige necrotrofe pathogenen.Aan het begin van de bladkolonisatie door gisten, 2 tot 3 weken na het verschijnen van het blad, leidde zowel behandeling B als C tot, een 10-voudige verhoging van de gistdichtheid. De onbehandelde bladeren (D) werden echter spoedig door de van nature voorkomende gisten gekoloniseerd en het verschil tussen de onbehandelde en met gist bespoten bladeren werd snel kleiner. Aanvankelijk werden de gisten door carbendazim (A) onderdrukt. Geleidelijk bestond de gistpopulatie echter uit carbendazim-resistente stammen, zodat de carbendazim bespuitingen nauwelijks meer effect hadden. Hierdoor werden grote verschillen in gistdichtheden niet langdurig gerealiseerd. Het effect van de behandelingen op de natuurlijke infectie doorMycosphaerella graminicola (anam.Septoria tritici), Puccina recondita f. sp.tritici en op het totale dode bladoppervlak (D-waarde) wordt besproken.     

Oxytetracycline residues in giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The distribution of oxytetracycline (OTC) in male and female Macrobrachium rosenbergii was examined after the prawns had been given medicated feed containing OTC at levels of 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg of feed for 1 week and nonmedicated feed thereafter. OTC levels in the heads of both male and female prawns were consistently higher than in the muscles. Batches of both male and female prawns treated with higher dosages had significantly higher OTC residues in both head and muscle tissues than the batches treated with lower dosages. During treatment, peak concentrations in the head and muscle from each group were reached within 4-6 days. After drug treatment ceased, 13 days for the head and 10 days for the muscle were required to reduce OTC residues to safe levels in all batches of both sexes and dosages. In practice, to account for variations in water temperature, drug dosage, duration of therapy, and other environmental conditions, a withdrawal period of 21 days is recommended.     

Development. Endothelium--chicken soup for the endoderm

Endothelial cells in blood vessels are known to be important during the later stages of organ development in the embryo. However, their involvement at the induction stage of organ formation has not been previously documented. As Bahary and Zon explain in their Perspective, new work demonstrates that endothelial cells secrete factors early in development that induce embryonic endoderm to become liver or pancreas (Matsumoto et al., Lammert et al.).     

Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Great Danes and to determine whether DCM is familial in this breed. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 17 Great Danes with DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records of Great Danes in which DCM was diagnosed on the basis of results of echocardiography (fractional shortening < 25%, end-systolic volume index > 30 ml/m2 of body surface area) were reviewed. Pedigrees were obtained for affected animals, as well as for other Great Danes in which DCM had been diagnosed. RESULTS: Dilated cardiomyopathy appeared to be familial and was characterized by ventricular dilatation, congestive heart failure (left-sided or biventricular), and atrial fibrillation. Pedigree analysis suggested that DCM was inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, but the mode of inheritance could not be definitively identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that DCM may be an X-linked recessive trait in Great Danes. Thus, dogs with DCM probably should not be used for breeding, and female offspring of affected dogs should be used cautiously. Male offspring of affected females are at an increased risk of developing DCM and should be evaluated periodically for early signs of disease. Results of pedigree analysis were preliminary and should be used only as a guide for counseling breeders, rather than as a basis for making breeding decisions.     

Development and evaluation of a highly sensitive and specific blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus infection in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To develop a blocking ELISA for detection of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) antibodies that is comparable to a radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, to evaluate use of this ELISA for identification of BLV-infected herds, and to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for direct diagnosis of infection with BLV. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum samples and pooled bulk-tank milk samples from cattle. PROCEDURE: The blocking ELISA was developed, using BLV gp51 as antigen, captured by a selected bovine polyclonal serum. A nested PCR was conducted with primers specific for a segment of the pol region of the BLV genome. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were comparable to those of the RIP assay. Use of the ELISA on pooled milk samples allowed identification of herds in which prevalence of BLV infection among lactating cows was as low as 2.5%. Pooled milk samples from BLV-free herds did not react in the ELISA. All cattle that had positive results for the nested PCR had BLV antibodies, but cattle with consistantly low antibody titers required examination of sequential DNA samples to detect viral sequences. None of the 63 antibody-negative cattle had positive results for the PCR. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This ELISA is a highly specific and sensitive assay for the detection of BLV antibodies in serum and milk samples of cattle. Examination of pooled milk samples with the ELISA provides a reliable, practical, and economic procedure for identification of BLV-infected herds. The nested PCR also constitutes a specific procedure for direct diagnosis of infection with BLV.     

Development of a functional scoring system in dogs with acute spinal cord injuries

OBJECTIVES: To develop and compare the reliability of 2 methods of scoring pelvic limb gait in dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries and to use this scoring system to determine the rate and level of functional recovery of dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniations. ANIMALS: 46 dogs with spinal cord injuries resulting from intervertebral disk herniations. PROCEDURE: Dogs' gaits were videotaped at different time intervals after injury. In phase 1 of the study, the stages of recovery of pelvic limb function were identified, and a numeric scoring system was devised to reflect that recovery. In phase 2, pelvic limb gait was scored by different observers, using a numeric and a visual analog scale. Intra- and interobserver coefficients of variability of both methods were compared. In phase 3, pelvic limb function was scored, using the numeric scale at various intervals after acute thoracolumbar disk herniations. RESULTS: The numeric scale was significantly more reliable than the visual analog scale when both intra- and interobserver coefficients of variability were evaluated. Dogs that were paraplegic with no deep pain sensation recovered at different rates during the first 3 months, whereas dogs that were paraplegic with deep pain sensation typically recovered within 1 month of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic limb gait of dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries can be reliably quantified, using a numeric scale. This scale will facilitate the performance of clinical trials aimed at improving the outcome of acute spinal cord injuries.